Status
Failure
GPS-7
Launch Time
Sat Dec 19, 1981 01:10 UTC
Sat Dec 19, 1981 01:10 UTC
Three coolant holes were accidentally plugged, resulting in an engine overheating four seconds after launch. The RSO destroyed the rocket after pitched out of control.
Rocket
Mission Details
GPS-7
The GPS (Global Positioning System) or Navstar (Navigation System using Timing And ranging) were the first generation satellites of the GPS navigation system. The first two satellites were also called NDS (Navigational Development Satellite).
The Block I satellites were positioned in the same orbital planes as the later Block II, but at an inclination angle of 63 degrees. Block I consisted of the original concept validation satellites and reflect various stages of system development. Lessons learned from the 11 satellites were incorporated into later generations.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 759.0 kg
Medium Earth Orbit
Location
SLC-3E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA
Stats
1981
123rd orbital launch attempt
Atlas-SGS
8th mission
1st mission of 1981
1st failed mission